Obituary: Dental Giant Michael Watson
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- Published: Monday, 18 November 2024 09:35
- Written by Guy Tuggle
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Michael Watson, retired dentist and ‘veteran‘ of the profession, has died following a short illness. He was 82. During a long and distinguished career Mr Watson made a contribution that extended far beyond his surgery door. He cared passionately about dentistry, and possessed a visceral understanding of the challenges it has seemingly always faced.
Right up to his passing, Michael Watson continued to share his thoughts and observations on dentistry’s past, present and future to anyone willing to engage, and there was no shortage of open doors including GDPUK and numerous other professional publications.
His prescience, born of historical perspective and assiduous scrutiny of contemporary dental news, was always highly valued by those, including professional bodies and government, who cared about dentistry’s future.
He championed the need for an NHS dental service that met the needs of the population and, in particular, those who are not regular attenders where he advocated a salaried service freed from the shackles of UDAs and targets of which he was a scathing opponent.
In a wide ranging interview with Practice Plan’s Nigel Jones, published by dentistry.co.uk, Mr Watson said "The system works well for those who attend regularly and are prepared to pay historically high NHS charges or private fees. But it leaves behind those who do not or cannot attend regularly, as well as those who cannot or will not pay NHS or private charges. It thus perpetuates inequalities.
It does nothing to encourage those who should attend at an early stage of caries, periodontal disease or potentially oral cancer, or when advice may be all that is needed. Nor does it pay the dentist or a hygienist or therapist for giving that advice."
Ralph Michael George Watson was born in February 1942. Funded by The Army, he qualified in 1965 (Guy’s Hospital) and subsequently served in the Royal Army Dental Corps, initially commuting between jobs the UK and Germany. A posting in Belfast followed where Mr Watson found himself delivering dentistry from a mobile dental unit.
In 1979 Mr Watson retired from the Army Dental service and established a practice in the picturesque town of Manningtree, Essex. But this committed clinician had more to offer than dentistry alone.
A gifted writer with a courteous demeanour, he had the ability to distil potentially complex issues into concise sentences that were intelligible to a wide audience and he could frame arguments without making enemies.
Clearly, he possessed a skills set that equipped him to advocate for the profession and in the 1980s he joined the General Dental Practitioners’ Association (GDPA).
Although now defunct, the GDPA was a rival to the British Dental Association (BDA). Watson rose through the ranks, becoming its Secretary and editor of its journal The General Dental Practitioner where he could influence the mood music of the times.
His zeal was recognised by the BDA and following overtures, in 1991 Mr Watson ’crossed the floor’ to the BDA.
At the BDA he enjoyed a wide ranging brief, editing the Association’s BDJ In Practice magazine (formerly BDA News) and, with his ’special advisor’ hat on, influencing policy, overseeing public relations activity and, no doubt much to his enjoyment and frustration, engaging with a revolving door of politicians and mandarins at the Department of Health.
Mr Watson retired from the BDA in 2005 and was made a Fellow. However, up to the days of his death he continued to engage with his many friends in the profession, sharing thoughts and contributing opinions, articles and news leads to hungry writers who valued his gravitas and authenticity. The only ’breaks in transmission’ were when he excused himself to embark on another cruise or seek the sunshine in Gran Canaria...
Tributes to ’Friend and Mentor’
Tributes posted on BDA Chair Eddie Crouch’s ’X’ (formerly Twitter) feed perhaps sum up best how Michael will be remembered. As a friend and mentor.
Eddie Crouch wrote "It is with great sadness that I have heard this afternoon that my great friend and mentor @rmgwatson has passed away after a short illness. Honoured by @TheBDA with a Fellowship. So many in the profession will remember his work. RIP dear colleague."
GDPUK Publisher Tony Jacobs wrote "Michael, renowned for his acumen, his succinct writing style, his fondness for sunny weather and cruising, and his significant contributions to dentistry, has left a lasting impact. His wisdom and insight will be missed. RIP."
"The profession has lost a great soul of common sense" said dentist Nishma Sharma whilst Stephen Henderson posted "Michael was always generous with younger colleagues. He was the custodian of BDA corporate memory particularly in relation to the NHS GDS."
And as a master of the succinct, Michael would surely smile at the words of Dave Bridges RDT RDH: "Michael was a huge figure and a dental legend."
GDPUK sends its heartfelt condolences to Michael’s family.
* Ralph Michael George Watson, dentist, writer, advisor and mentor. Born February 1942. Died November 2024 aged 82.
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